Contains biographical notes, statements, and articles about Kurt Herbert Adler, published interviews, and short pieces in
which Adler is mentioned or quoted. Includes formal portraits and candid photographs and sketches of Adler, as well as photographs
inscribed to Adler from numerous opera singers and composers, including Gaetano Merola, Arturo Toscanini, Claramae Turner,
Leontyne Price, Carl Orff, and Karl Boehm. Also includes images of Adler with visiting dignitaries, including U.S. Presidents,
publicity images with San Francisco Opera performers, and a small number of photographs with wife, Nancy Adler. Announcements
and programs document Adler's work as a chorus director, piano accompanist, orchestra conductor in Chicago and on the East
Coast, prior to joining the San Francisco Opera Association. The series concludes with some lecture notes and notebooks, correspondence
regarding employment, and several scrapbooks.

Contains files relating to Maestro Adler's long tenure with the San Francisco Opera, beginning first with Fall Seasons and
gradually expanding to include several new programs he established. Includes correspondence and notes that document his close
connections with major opera singers, conductors and other artists throughout the world, as well as provide insight into the
complexity of preparing for each season and production. Also illustrated are the effects of California Proposition 13 on funding
for the arts and the challenges caused by various strikes. Of particular note is a brief thank you letter from San Francisco
Supervisor Harvey Milk written on November 20, 1978, shortly before his assassination. Also includes materials relating to
the search for new artists and the Merola Training Program, as well as the Opera Guild and general information about the San
Francisco Opera.

2.1
Correspondence1938-1981

Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 25-33; Carton 2, folders 1-13

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence with Gaetano Merola, General Director and founder of the San Francisco Opera and with Maestro Adler's
New York agent, which precede one file of general correspondence that was assembled from loose letters scattered throughout
the collection. Files labeled "KHA Personal correspondence" begin in 1977 and have been kept in the order in which they were
received.

Divided into two sub-subseries: San Francisco, and Other Venues. Arranged hierarchically, and then chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains programs, publicity, and Maestro Adler's working files from the San Francisco opening of Fall Opera Season, the regular
seasons that for many years followed in Los Angeles and San Diego, and performances held in other parts of the state.

2.2.1
San Francisco1942-1981

Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 14-18; Cartons 3-4

Arrangement

Arranged hierarchically, and then chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of files relating to the Fall Opera Season's San Francisco productions, including correspondence, programs and publicity,
and Maestro Adler's working files. These contain worksheets and notes relating to repertoire, casting, costumes, set designs,
orchestra, daily and weekly rehearsal schedules and critiques, technical notes, and box office scores. Files may relate an
entire year, or occasionally to a specific production.

Consists of files relating to the Fall Opera Season that for many years opened in Los Angeles and San Diego shortly after
the San Francisco season ended. Contains correspondence, programs and publicity, casting worksheets, rehearsal schedules,
and notes. Also includes programs from special performances held in Sacramento, Fresno, Pasadena, Berkeley, and Portland,
Oregon.

Los Angeles Season

Scope and Content Note

Presented by Southern California Symphony Association

Carton 5, Folder 1-4

Programs1943-1965

Carton 5, Folder 5

Photographs1955-1958, undated

Carton 5, Folder 6

Casting, rehearsal schedules, working notes1959

Carton 5, Folder 7

Working notes1962

Carton 5, Folder 8

Annual luncheons1952-1962

Scope and Content Note

The Opera Guild of Southern California honoring the San Francisco Opera Company

San Diego Season

Scope and Content Note

Presented by San Diego Opera Guild

Carton 5, Folder 9

Programs1953-1962

Sacramento performances

Scope and Content Note

Presented by the Sacramento Opera Association; until 1959 known as Sacramento Opera Committee, Inc.

Carton 5, Folder 10

Programs1952-1962

Fresno performances

Scope and Content Note

Presented by The Fresno Musical Club

Carton 5, Folder 11

Program, "Madama Butterfly," November 2, 19531953

Pasadena performances

Scope and Content Note

Presented by Elmer Wilson, Pasadena Civic Auditorium

Carton 5, Folder 12

Programs1956-1958

Berkeley performances

Scope and Content Note

Presented by the Regents of the University of California and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation

Carton 5, Folder 13

Programs1957-1962

Carton 5, Folder 14

Diamond Jubilee of the Greek Theatre, University of California, Berkeley, Oct. 8, 19781978

Oversize Box 3

Poster1978

Portland, Oregon performances

Scope and Content Note

Presented by the Oregon Centennial Commission

Carton 5, Folder 15

Program1959

2.3
San Francisco Opera Productions1949-1987

Physical Description:
Carton 5, folders 16-44

Arrangement

Divided into two sub-subseries: Subsidiaries and Affiliated Programs, and Concerts.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of files documenting programs and concerts of the San Francisco Opera that are separate from the Fall Opera Season.

2.3.1
Subsidiaries and Affiliated Programs1957-1987

Physical Description:
Carton 5, folders 16-31

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically, and then hierarchically.

Scope and Content Note

Includes files regarding several ventures begun by Maestro Adler, including Spring Opera of San Francisco, Western Opera Theater,
Opera in the Park, and Brown Bag Opera. Includes correspondence, programs and publicity, repertoire and casting sheets, notes,
articles, clippings, and some photographs.

Spring Opera of San Francisco

Scope and Content Note

Begun in 1961 as a new non-profit venture of the San Francisco Opera, and renamed Spring Opera Theater (SPOT) in 1971. The
original goal of Spring Opera was to present young, unknown singers in theatrically effective performances of unusual operas.

Carton 5, Folder 16

Programs1961-1966

Carton 5, Folder 17

Publicity1960-1962

Carton 5, Folder 18-19

Repertoire and casting sheets1963-1964

Carton 5, Folder 20-22

Work sheets1967-1981

Carton 5, Folder 23

Articles and clippings1971-1979

Carton 5, Folder 24

Cosmopolitan Opera Company1957

Scope and Content Note

Rival "predecessor" to Spring Opera of San Francisco

Western Opera Theater

Scope and Content Note

A subsidiary of the San Francisco Opera, founded by KHA in 1967, with the objective of introducing operatic experience to
communities where it would otherwise be unknown. Touring seasons of the company, supported in large part by grants from NEA,
provides professional training opportunities for young artists who present a diversified repertory program in communities
throughout the western U.S.

Carton 5, Folder 25

Newsletter, publicity and programs1971-1976

Opera in the Park

Carton 5, Folder 26

Programs and publicity1971-1987

Oversize Drawer B, Folder 1

San Francisco Examiner advertising proof for 1982 Opera in the Park1982

Carton 5, Folder 27

Correspondence and notes1981-1987

Carton 5, Folder 28-30

Photographs1976-1979, undated

Brown Bag Opera

Scope and Content Note

Created by KHA in February 1974, presents noontime operatic entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere in locations throughout
the Bay Area, including parts, plazas, and shopping malls, as well as to businesses and social organizations.

Carton 5, Folder 31

Publicity1978-1980, undated

2.3.2
Concerts1949-1983

Physical Description:
Carton 5, folders 32-44

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically, by date of performance.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of files relating to special concert programs, including broadcast performances and Gaetano Merola's memorial ceremonies
which precede a variety of special event concerts held in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Includes correspondence, programs
and publicity, scores, notes, and clippings.

"The Standard Hour"

Scope and Content Note

Symphony and opera concert music, presented by Standard Oil of California, including Sunday evenings as "The Standard Hour"
and Thursday morning "Standard School Broadcast."

Includes "An Evening of Music in Honor of the United Nations," June 20, 1955; Renata Tebaldi, Italian Festival of San Francisco,
Sept. 9, 1956; and Dorothy Kirsten, selections from "La Boheme," Nov. 12, 1957

Contains programs and publicity, and notes for San Francisco Opera Auditions, which since 1954 have been held in major metropolitan
regions throughout the western U.S. and Canada. Their purpose is to find young professional opera singers who are ready to
sing on the stage of San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House.

Carton 6, Folder 1

Publicity and programs1956-1962

Carton 6, Folder 2-4

Audition notes1967-1981

2.5
Merola Memorial Fund / Merola Opera Program1959-1987

Physical Description:
Carton 6, folders 5-13

Arrangement

Arranged hierarchically, and then chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains documentation of the ten-week summer laboratory begun by Kurt Herbert Adler in 1957 "as an effective way to prepare
young professional singers for what they must face in their pursuit of a serious career." Assisted by members of the San Francisco
Opera staff and other nationally-known specialists, Maestro Adler supervised a regimen that included musical coaching, stagecraft,
body movement, languages and diction, fencing, make-up, and history of opera, as well as lectures to extend the singers' awareness
of all facets of opera production and career development. Sometime between 1981 and 1984, the Merola Memorial Fund became
known as the Merola Opera Program. Includes correspondence, programs and publicity, and notes. Files relating to the late
Calvin Simmons, who served as Maestro Adler's assistant, are found at the end of this series.

Merola Training Program

Carton 6, Folder 5

Concert programs1959-1984

Carton 6, Folder 6

Awards and honors1960-1982

Carton 6, Folder 7

Master classes1979-1987

Summer 1985

Carton 6, Folder 8

Correspondence, publicity and notes1985

Summer 1987

Carton 6, Folder 9

San Francisco Opera Center auditions1986-1987

Carton 6, Folder 10

Barry Pinnolis film project1982

Carton 6, Folder 11

Kurt Herbert Adler-Merola Endowment Fund1980-1984

Carton 6, Folder 12

Calvin Simmons Memorial Concerts1982

Carton 6, Folder 13

Calvin Simmons memorials1982-1984

Scope and Content Note

Calvin Simmons began his musical life with the San Francisco Boys Chorus; in 1970 he became Assistant Conductor of the Merola
Opera Summer Program, and in 1978 was named Music Director and Conductor of the Oakland Symphony

Divided into two sub-subseries: Portfolios, and Notebooks and Calendars.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of documentation from Maestro Adler's travels abroad, often scouting new talent and to see productions by other opera
companies, as well as files related to the 1979-1980 tour of the San Francisco Opera to Hong Kong, China, Japan, and the Philippines.
Includes correspondence, contact lists, daily calendars, and detailed notes Adler used to plan future seasons of the San Francisco
Opera.

2.6.1
Portfolios1961-1981

Physical Description:
Carton 6, folders 14-31; Carton 7, folders 1-12

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of "binders" assembled by Maestro Adler's office staff in advance of and during his travels abroad. Files contain
correspondence, including letters, telegrams and cables, in addition to schedules, contact lists, and notes providing a detailed
record of his meetings and activities.

Consists of files relating to Maestro Adler's conducting apart from his work with the San Francisco Opera, where his contract
originally only covered the Fall Opera Season. Adler regularly conducted in the public schools in Spring, and at Stern Grove
during the summer months; as his schedule allowed he appeared as a guest conductor in various cities in the San Francisco
Bay Area and throughout California and the West, as well as other states and countries.

3.1
Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival1944-1987

Physical Description:
Carton 9, folders 15-21

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence with Rosalie Stern, chair of the Sigmund Stern Grove Music Committee, as well as working notes, programs
and a few photographs of Midsummer Music Festival concerts. From his earliest years in San Francisco and well past his retirement
from the San Francisco Opera, Maestro Adler conducted a number of the summer concerts. Of interest is his annotated copy of
the score for Conrad Susa's "Baghdad-by-the-Bay," adapted from the writings of Herb Caen, which premiered at the 50th anniversary
season in 1987.

Sigmund Stern Grove Music Festival Committee

Carton 9, Folder 15

Correspondence with Rosalie M. Stern (Mrs. Sigmund Stern)1944-1954

Carton 9, Folder 16

Correspondence and working notes for concerts1944-1965

Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival

Carton 9, Folder 17

Programs1944-1987

Carton 9, Folder 18

PhotographsUndated

Stern Grove Festival Association

Carton 9, Folder 19

Correspondence and working notes for concerts1982-1986

Carton 9, Folder 20

Stern Grove 50th anniversary season1987

Scope and Content Note

Opening conducted by KHA, June 21, 1987 for premiere of "Baghdad-by-the-Bay"

Carton 9, Folder 20

Annotated copy of score, "Baghdad-by-the-Bay"1987

Scope and Content Note

Music by Conrad Susa, adapted from the writings of Herb Caen by Conrad Susa and Richard Street

Consists of correspondence, minutes of meetings, plans, notes, programs and publicity, and a few annotated scores relating
to Maestro Adler's conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in Young People's Concerts and Youth Symphony Concerts.
Programs in San Francisco were presented by the Musical Association of San Francisco, with commentary by Alexander Fried.
Programs were also held in Berkeley and Richmond, sponsored by the Berkeley-Albany Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
and the Berkeley Public Schools. Includes one file relating to auditions for the Young People's Symphony Concerts.

Divided into three sub-subseries: San Francisco Opera Years; Post-Retirement Years; and Future Conducting. Arranged chronologically
by date of performance.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence, notes, schedules, programs and publicity, and sometimes clippings and photographs related to Maestro
Adler's engagements as a guest conductor in various locations throughout California, the U.S. and the world. Arrangements
for such venues often began more than a year prior to the program, and sometimes never materialized or were cancelled.

Consists of correspondence, notes, schedules, programs and publicity, and sometimes clippings and photographs or a score relating
to Maestro Adler's engagements as a guest conductor in various cities in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California
and the West, as well as other states and countries. File titles are mostly his own, and include engagements that were cancelled.
Also includes Maestro Adler's guest appearance conducting Pavarotti in the film, "Yes, Giorgio!"

Carton 9, Folder 34

Children's Little Theatre Group of Marin County, and Marin Music Chest1945-1953

Scope and Content Note

"Hansel and Gretel, Sept. 8, 1945; Marin Music Chest [cancelled]

Carton 9, Folder 35

San Jose Symphony Orchestra, March 29, 19511951

Carton 9, Folder 36

Golden Anniversary Benefit Performance, San Francisco Section, National Council of Jewish Women, April 3, 19511951

Consists of correspondence, notes, schedules, programs and publicity, and sometimes clippings and photographs relating to
Maestro Adler's engagements as a guest conductor in the U.S. and abroad. He occasionally returned as a guest conductor for
the San Francisco Opera, and continued to conduct Pavarotti in various venues, as well as the San Francisco Summer Opera Festival,
New Year's Eve concerts, and the Marin Opera Company. File titles are mostly his own, and include engagements that were cancelled.

Consists of correspondence, publicity, lecture notes, talks and introductory remarks relating to Maestro Adler's speaking
and teaching engagements. One file containing invitations to participate in various programs precedes those that are individually
named. During the early years of his San Francisco Opera career, Maestro Adler regularly lectured and served as guest conductor
at the University of California Extension, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Pacific Music Camp and Clinics
of the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He often spoke to groups of music educators or conductors, and taught Master
classes and seminars, both in the U.S. and abroad. Following his retirement from the San Francisco Opera, Adler was a Professor
and artistic advisor in the School of Creative Arts at San Francisco State University.

Consists of correspondence during the years following Maestro Adler's retirement from the San Francisco Opera. Correspondence
with other opera companies, symphony orchestras, singers, conductors, designers, and others, chiefly concerning potential
engagements, precede the general correspondence files kept by Adler. These contain letters to and from professional colleagues,
friends and acquaintances, and fans.

Carton 12, Folder 14

KHA correspondence with other opera companies and symphony orchestras1982-1987

Carton 12, Folder 15

KHA correspondence with singers, conductors, designers1982-1988

Carton 12, Folder 16

KHA correspondence with Mayor's office1982-1984

Carton 12, Folder 17

KHA correspondence with Shorenstein Nederlander1982-1985

Carton 12, Folder 18-19

KHA correspondence, incoming/outgoing (chron files)1982

Carton 12, Folder 20-25

KHA correspondence, incoming/outgoing1982-1988

Series 6
Professional Service1952-1988

Physical Description:
Carton 13, folders 1-31

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence, minutes, notes, reports, publicity, and a few photographs relating to Adler's professional activities
in the world of music. Maestro Adler served as a judge at both local and international auditions and competitions, and as
a member of numerous advisory boards. He was a member of the board of directors of many local foundations, national endowments,
and international organizations concerned with art and music. Maestro Adler's participation in professional service increased
significantly following his retirement from the San Francisco Opera.

Carton 13, Folder 1

Seeker's Club, San Quentin Prison, First annual music festival, judge1952

Lake Tahoe Music & Arts Foundation, board member

Carton 13, Folder 2

Meeting minutes1957 Sept.-Nov.

Carton 13, Folder 3

Mitropoulos awards, Stephens College, judge [declined]1963

Carton 13, Folder 4

National Endowment for the Arts1982-1987

Carton 13, Folder 5

National Council on the Arts1980

Carton 13, Folder 6

Grants panel meeting1980 Aug.

Carton 13, Folder 7

National Council on the Arts1981

Carton 13, Folder 8

National Council on the Arts1982-1986

On-Site Project

Scope and Content Note

The On-Site project is funded by the Opera-Musical Theater Program, National Endowment for the Arts

Organized by subject (musical recording or interview), and then chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Contains correspondence and publicity concerning Maestro Adler's various recording opportunities and contracts, as well as
San Francisco and London television documentaries and radio interviews with Adler.

Consists of correspondence, certificates and resolutions, published articles and clippings concerning the many tributes, awards
and honors recognizing Maestro Adler's contributions to the world of music. One file relating to awards for which there is
limited documentation precedes those that are individually named. In addition to tributes, awards and honors from his professional
peers, government officials and civic organizations, the series contains materials relating to several anniversary celebrations
and Maestro Adler's retirement as General Director from the San Francisco Opera.

Carton 14, Folder 1

Tributes, awards and honors[1957]-1986 undated

Oversize Box 3, Folder 7

Articles and certificates1975-1988

Carton 14, Folder 2

Articles and certificates (photocopies)1956-1985

Carton 14, Folder 3

College of the Pacific, Stockton, honorary doctor of music degree1956

Oversize Box 3, Folder 8

San Francisco Mayor and Board of Supervisors proclamations and resolutions1957-1985

Senior Citizen of the Year Award, Coming of Age, Inc., Stern Grove Festival Association, and City & County of San Francisco1985

Series 9
Scores and Sheet Music Collection1947-1986

Physical Description:
Oversize Boxes 4-7; v. 2-12

Arrangement

Arranged by type, and then alphabetically by composer.

Scope and Content Note

Consists of Maestro Adler's annotated copies of musical scores for opera and orchestra as well as sheet music for several
songs. His notes indicate cuts and variations for performances. The few dates that are included for some works probably reflect
the year performed, not publication or edition which has been recorded with titles when obvious.

Consists of calendars and appointments books in various forms, which Maestro Adler appears to have kept consistently for most
of his career. Similar notebooks are also found in Series 2.6.2: Travel Notebooks and Calendars.

Carton 17, Card File Box 1

Pocket calendars1937-1954

Carton 17, Card File Box 2

Desk calendars1963-1976

Carton 17, Folder Card File Box 3

Desk calendars1977-1981

Carton 14, Folder 24-28

Appointment books1982-1988

Series 12
Personal and Family Papers1921-1990

Physical Description:
Box 1; Oversize Box 6, folders 6-7

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically or hierarchically, as appropriate.

Scope and Content Note

Contains only a few notebooks and one textbook from Adler's student years, a small amount of memorabilia and clippings related
to European family members, and some correspondence, ephemera, and photographs of the families resulting from both marriages.
The bulk of the series consists of birthday cards and letters, chiefly in connection with Adler's 80th birthday, and concludes
with obituary and memorial notices.